Why the Senior Dating Scene is More Lively Than Ever

Dating at any age can be tough, but (despite what some people may have you believe) dating as a senior is far from a struggle. There are a lot of reasons why the dating scene is so lively among the older generation. Not only are there plenty of fish in the sea, but according to AARP people aged 50+ are one of the fastest growing demographics in the country.

While this doesn’t mean that every person over 50 is single and searching, rest assured that there are plenty of people out there looking for a special someone. This leads us to the big question, what is it that makes the over 50 dating scene such a lively one?

Here are a few things that may account for it:

More seniors are online dating than you would think.You don’t have to be young to look for love on the internet; with websites like eHarmony, Zoosk, SilverSingles, OurTime, and many more—there are tons of options that go beyond Tinder. (Though many people over 50 enjoy Tinder too.)

A lot of online dating is about intent—if you’re looking for something more casual or don’t know what you’re looking for yet, a site like Tinder may work for you. If you’re looking for something more serious and want to start a relationship with someone, using sites with a sign up fee or some type of membership tend to draw the attention of people looking for serious prospects.

Retired seniors have more time to focus on themselves.In many ways, dating is something you do for yourself—it’s investing in your own happiness and development. But when you’re busy with work and life, it can be hard to make time. Many seniors are living a more carefree lifestyle and with all that freedom, there are ample opportunities to get out there and socialize.

Whether it be in your community, at retirement centers, or through travel—taking your time to put yourself out there becomes easier when you have more freedom to do so.

More people are getting divorced and entering the dating scene.Divorce rates have nearly doubled since the 1990s, bringing many seniors back into the world of dating. Many older daters have moved forward from past relationships, and are ready to put themselves back out there. If this is you, you’re likely not alone, and there are many others in a similar boat who understand where you’re coming from and are excited to meet new people too.

Let’s face it, being a senior has its perks. More life experience means you can probably define whatever it is you’re looking for in a more confident manner. Don’t let age fool you, there’s love waiting to be found in all corners of the world and in all types of people.

As we come into a new generation of seniors, dating has been redefined. Happiness is key and if companionship plays a part in bringing joy to your life, age simply doesn’t matter. These are your golden years and they deserve to be enjoyed, putting yourself out there is a great way to find that special someone who makes you feel amazing.

Freelance Writer

Shayla Ahrns discovered her love of words at a young age and hasn’t stopped writing since. An avid dater with a great sense of humor, Shayla considers herself a bit of a dating app expert and loves to share the woes of her love life. She has written her own blog over the years and self published a book of poetry in 2017.